Kelly was belting out her hit, “Piece by Piece” during the Greenville, South Carolina concert in March. The song is already emotional for Kelly, as she wrote it about her estranged father who recently passed away. The lyrics recall her dad’s abandonment, and eventually compares that experience to the nurturing one her children will have with Brandon. She often tears up while performing it, especially if her kids are in the audience.

That said, you can imagine her reaction when Brandon snuck out onto the stage while she was singing. He appeared with a guitar in hand, and quietly replaced her usual guitarist behind her. Though the crowd was going wild, Kelly didn’t realize he had joined her until a few moments later—and she obviously couldn’t keep it together (neither could we!).

“This is my husband,” she told the audience, before taking some deep breaths and saying, “I can do this, I can do this!” She made it to the end (though she had to compose herself a few times), and then gave him a smooch and a huge hug. “That’s my amazing husband,” she said as he walked off stage.

LOVED seeing this moment in person when @kelly_clarkson husband surprised her! Such an emotional moment for everyone and that song has so much meaning to me. Thank you for a wonderful night!❤️🌸 pic.twitter.com/PCOEGhOs4c

Her fans were obviously over-the-moon about their rare appearance together, writing they “give me hope, and make me believe in a successful loving marriage!” Another said they “cried like babies” and SAME.

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